Spidersilk...

Imagine traveling to a land where, if you are in just the right place, and it just the right season, you might see giant, golden spider webs. This is possible if you go to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, and the surrounding countryside, during the rainy season. This is the only time of the year that the female Golden Orb spider produces a beautiful golden silk. Locally these giant spiders are known as the golden orb weavers, spinning massive, gold-coloured webs, sometimes large enough to span a one lane road, reaching from one telephone pole to another!

Now, imagine collecting these giant spiders to harvest their silk, and then returning them back to the wild, unharmed. This is what a group of 70 people did to collect enough silk to make a piece of rare spider silk fabric. It measures 4x11 feet, and was woven based on the traditional patterns of the Madagascar highlands. Each spider can produce about 80 yards of silk filament. To make the fibres to weave such a cloth, it takes a lot of spider silk. For each individual thread, 96 to 960 spider silk filaments are twisted together. The cloth is a wonderful, lustrous golden colour, featuring stylized birds and flowers.

Most of the world’s silk comes from silkworm moth cocoons. However, unlike silkworms, who are relatively easy to keep in captivity, spiders present unique challenges, namely their cannibalistic nature, so they are hard to keep in captivity. Fortunately, spiders can be collected, placed in a special device to keep them still so the silk can be drawn, and then released back into the wild again.

For its weight, spider silk is stronger than steel, but unlike steel, it can stretch up to 40% of its normal length! These properties make this material something scientists would like to mimic artificially for use in areas such as the military, in surgery, and even for space exploration. The trick lies in replicating the material so there is no need to harvest the silk from the spiders. The challenge for researchers is that this unique filament begins as a liquid in the spider’s gland. It then becomes a remarkably strong, water-resistant solid after following a complicated course through the spider’s interior. It is this process which has been the most difficult to replicate.

Currently, there is an amazing exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York titled “Travelling the Silk Road”. I wish I could go see this exhibit as it takes one on a journey across Asia, following one of the trade routes from ancient times, stretching from Xi’n to Baghdad.

Apache Blessing

In order to help deal with some of the recent stress in my personal life, I finally broke down and shared my difficulties with some of my online friends. I am so glad I did. They have shown great compassion and support. One of the women passed along this beautiful blessing. I share it here with the hope that these lovely words will touch your life.

"May the sun
bring you new energy by day
May the moon
softly restore you by night
May the rain
wash away your worries
May the breeze
blow new strength into your being
May you walk
gently through the world and know
its beauty all the days of your life."

~ Apache Blessing

Porcupine musings...

The other night before heading off to bed, I decided to go outside into my yard and say goodnight to the stars. As I walked along the brick path beside the house, into the yard, I heard a most curious scratching sound. When I looked closely for the source, I spied a beautiful, but very frightened, porcupine clinging to the base of one of the spruce trees. Her soft rounded nose was searching for my scent (I have since learned porcupines have very poor vision). Her delicate paws were clutching the bark of the tree. Her magnificent coat of quills undulated like an anemone under water. I was stunned, and so was she. We each regarded the other. In the quiet and unseasonable warmth of the January night, we momentarily connected with each other. She was only about a metre away and I found her presence to be something very special. I had never seen a porcupine in an urban area. My house backs onto a large park, where deer, rabbits, and racoons have been seen, but never, ever had I seen a porcupine.

What seemed auspicious about this sighting was the fact that I saw this lovely creature at the end of what had been a most difficult day. I had spent the afternoon in a meeting of great importance, where matters, both great and small, were discussed. Decisions which will profoundly affect my future were reached and I was feeling sad, vulnerable, and very depressed. I was left feeling like much of my own life force was slowly ebbing from my body. But seeing this porcupine made me wonder if perhaps her presence was a sign of some sort. There had to be some reason she appeared in my yard, on this night, of all nights, in my entire life. I believe in synchronicity, and I believed she had a message for me, so I went in search of the symbolic meaning of the porcupine. I wanted to know the merits of this animal in the totem world of the Amerindian culture. And what I learned was of great comfort to me.

There is much we can learn from the porcupine. This gentle animal lives a simple life, treading a distinct path each day from her den to the feeding area. Her life is uncomplicated and she lives without fear. Curiosity and savouring of the moment seem to be the porcupine nature. The power of the porcupine lies in the sense of innocence, wonder, and joy these animals display; they have been described as having a child-like quality about them. They use this sense of wonder and curiosity in their everyday lives. Porcupines offer, symbolically, faith, humility, intelligence and the adventure of discovery.

They are also described as the animal totem associated with self-determination, trust, solidarity, nocturnal magic, and regeneration. Porcupines delight in the simple pleasure of the world. They are independent and solitary (although they will share a den with others during cold winter months). They display a sense of virtue, incorruptibility, humility, self-reflection, self-defence, and protection. Porcupines also show a sense of self-empowerment.

Like the otter, my favourite animal, the porcupine is loving, gentle and non-aggressive. Her quills, as many as 30,000 of them, are interspersed among the dark, coarse hairs of her back and tail, allowing her to protect herself from harm. She offers a warning before defending herself and when provoked, will curve her body inward by bringing her delicate snout into her soft underbelly. This posture fully exposes her sharp quills, and allows her to flail her tail, making it impossible for the attacker to grab her without considerable harm. Her quills are symbolic of the brave warrior and are considered by Amerindians to ward off evil. These people would often weave the quills with fiber to make cloth for protection.

It has been said that the porcupine totem reminds one to not get caught up in the chaos of the world, where fear, greed, and suffering are commonplace. In fact, quite the opposite is what the porcupine is all about. The porcupine reminds us of the joys of childhood and the wonder of discovery. There is an Amerindian legend that tells of how porcupine taught bear to trust and how to play again. I give this legend to you, to pass along the gift of the story.

Porcupine and Bear – Amerindian Legend
Porcupine was looking at a hollow log. She was full of wonder as she tried to think of what she could do with it. Could it be a playhouse that nature made for her? Maybe she should climb on top of it and roll back and forth or scratch her back on the outer bark. Perhaps, she should look inside to see if there was any vegetation for her dinner.

While she was pondering what to do, Bear was approaching her. She was excited. A playmate to share her log with! She greeted him and asked him if he wanted share the log and play.

Bear snorted, “Porcupine, I’m too old to play. I’m looking for honey, so get out of my way.”

Porcupine told him he was never too old to play. She said that if he forgot what it was like to be a cub, he would always be grumpy and crotchety.

Bear was stunned and thought about what Porcupine said. All of the other animals ran away from him. Brothers and sister Bears ignored him when he growled at them. Maybe Porcupine was right. She trusted him not to eat her. She offered to be his friend.
He looked at her and felt something stirring inside him. Bear remembered the games of the days when he was a cub. He began to feel joy.

“Porcupine, you reminded me of the joy I had when I was a cub. In becoming strong, I became too logical. I was scared of what others might think if I dropped my gruff façade. I feared that others wouldn’t treat me with respect. You taught me that when I was being a stuffed shirt, I caused others not to like me. Thank you. I’d love to join you in playing with the log.”

Bear remembered how to play again and learned Porcupine’s innocence.

This tale serves to remind usof what the Porcupine symbolizes: innocence and wonder.

No stars for sale...

"The stars, the stars... oh how they shine!"

As a lover of stars, I was disappointed to learn that most stars are not given a unique name, but rather, they are identified by a number. I wanted to find out why, so I went to the source that has the authority over the stars. No, I did not speak with God himself. Rather, I googled the International Astronomical Union. For decades stars have been discovered, numbered, and then added to an enormous database. Not very romantic, to be sure. But then again, the sheer number of stars dictates that numbering them is the only way to ensure we can find them again.

In addition to the numerical naming of stars, I found out that it is not possible to have a star named after someone you love. While there are companies out there that promote such services, the IAU clearly notes on their website that this practice is just not done. It is a matter of "buyer beware", regardless of the claims made by these companies. Simply put, the stars are not for sale. This makes me very happy. It means the entire universe of stars is there for us to enjoy. All of the stars belong to you and to me. And on any clear night, we can go out, look up, and marvel at their beauty.

If you want to learn more about the naming of stars, or about why they are not for sale, visit the International Astronomical Union site yourself.

In spite of the fact that stars are numbered, it does not take away from their magic or beauty. Many stars do have names, as do star clusters and constellations. If you look in the literature, there are many myths and legends about the stars and how the constellations got their names.

So, for you romantic star-lovers, there is much to learn about the stars. While the scientists continue to learn and teach us about the technical aspects of stars, I prefer to think of the stars in a most heavenly context while enjoying their stories across all cultures and times. Their magic and mystery will always hold a special place in my heart.

Tarot: Talisman or Taboo?

Imagine... a book about the tarot written by a Benedictine monk. I have discovered such a book. And I look forward to reading it. It is written by Mark Patrick Hederman, the Abbott of Glenstal Abbey in Limerick, Ireland. He is a well-known philosopher and the editor of a cultural journal, The Crane Bag. How did I come to discover such an interesting tome? Well, it was through a most lively discussion about pentagrams and pentacles, and their symbolism as it relates to various traditions, ranging from Christianity to Wicca, to agnosticism and atheism. Of course, this topic merits a blog post all its own, which I shall do some day, but for now, this book has captured my attention. It looks to be a most interesting book. Here is an excerpt from the author himself:

“The last century was a hell for many people, a hell of our own creation. In many cases, those of us in charge of others, whether in concentration camps, schools, parishes, orphanages, families, had lost touch with ourselves, had failed to tap into our unconscious lives. Many of the great monsters we can now parade in public with the clarity and courage of hindsight, are no more than the rest of us writ large. Every one of us was potentially an oppressor. And why? Because we had repressed the Mr Hyde in us and were living the Dr Jeckyl, which is what happens when we neglect the major part of ourselves: our unconscious.

At the most basic and almost negative level, we are required to do something about this untapped source in ourselves. It is almost a matter of hygiene and health. But there is another more pressing reason why we should get in touch with our unconscious. Because this is also where the springs of our creativity are hidden, and where God can enter our lives. Most of us are related to this subcontinent in a passive way, through our dreams. This book suggests that there are active ways to engage with this area. One such way is through the Tarot cards.

Getting in touch with the unconscious can be difficult and dangerous. Our ordinary approach to life, our trained and cultivated ways of thinking, are allergic to this swampy unknown. We lose our bearings, we panic. The Tarot cards are like 'an idiots guide' to the unconscious, an easy way to subvert the rational and allow the energies beneath to creep up through the floorboards. If you learn to shuffle and to deal the twenty-two major cards of this ancient museum of the unconscious, it will help you to familiarise yourself with a symbolic way of thinking and domesticate an underworld of otherwise meaningless shadows and shapes.

This book gives an introduction to the Tarot, a history of its uses and abuses, a practical guide to its value as an underground map. It also provides a meditation on each one of the twenty-two major arcana which can help the reader to undertake their own spiritual journey.

The important books in life are not the ones which we read; they are the ones which read us. That is the way the Tarot should be read.”

Wow! I look forward to the meditations and hope to spend time exploring the tarot through the eyes and mind of Mark Patrick Hederman. It should be an interesting exploration on many levels. I can hardly wait!

Oh yeah... Happy New Year!

Just imagine... a whole new year lies ahead! There are lots of opportunities to make the most of it. I love to make resolutions, and usually they involve learning something new. Here are my resolutions for 2010 (in no particular order):

Learn to knit with two (or more) colours.
Learn to spin on a spinning wheel.
Love with absolute honesty and wild abandon.

That's it. Simple, doable, and life-enriching.

What are your resolutions? What do you hope to learn? What do you hope to bring into your life? My hope for you is that you have a wonderful new year and are able to accomplish all you set out to do. Be sure to look back on this year at regular intervals to make sure you are on track. I will do the same.

What matters most...

Poised on the eve of a major life change, I have had to come to terms with some difficult emotional aspects that this change will bring. While this change is voluntary, and of my own making, it has not been without its stressors. It has brought great moments of joy and anticipation. These have then been eclipsed by moments of sorrow, fear, and sadness. It is a giving up of one life in return for another. As part of this change, I need to sift through a lifetime of possessions, making a decision of what to keep, and what to donate to charity. Most of it will be given away. It is time to pare down my life, and this is a perfect opportunity to determine what is most important.

Even as I write this post, with my laptop perched on my knees, my kitty, Fiona, is curled up on my lap, nestled deep in my arms. Her reassuring purr eases my saddened heart. She looks up at me with her beautiful green eyes, softly blinking, telling me she understands I am hurting. I wonder if she is trying to tell me to be sure to take her with me. Wherever I move in this house, she is at my heels. When I sit down for a moment, she jumps up into my arms, insisting I give her attention. I have never had an animal who is so perceptive, or so interested in offering comfort. Perhaps she senses I am in great turmoil during this transition. I am trying to keep my life on track, but truly, this change is taking a toll on my emotions.

As I sort through the many drawers, shelves, and boxes of my possessions, flashes of my life come to mind with great clarity. Each trinket and token bring back a special memory. A magnolia flower made of fine bone china reminds me of a trip with a dear friend to Mississippi one hot summer. A palette of water colours reminds me of time spent on the veranda at the Banff Spring hotel while I tried my best to paint the roses I saw in the garden. A book of fairy tales purchased when in Copenhagen reminds me of the time spent there. It is almost too much to bear. I know I have the memories of all my experiences in my mind and in my heart. But these physical reminders underscore the magnificent life I have lived so far.

Over the decades I have created an interesting library of books. I love books and find leaving them behind, or giving them away, to be the most difficult job of all. I love the words, the ideas, and the passion with which the various authors have poured into these works. I love knowing I can take any book off the shelf and spend an afternoon lost in another world. But, there are far too many books to make the journey from my old life to my new life. I will give most of them to the local used bookseller. I know he will enjoy them, and some day, a book lover just like myself will purchase and bring the books home, giving them new shelves to sit upon. And once again, their words will inspire and enchant someone else’s spirit.

While I am mourning the ‘loss’ of my current life, and all the wonderful possessions that have inhabited my world, there is much to look forward to. As a snake sheds her skin, there emerges a brighter, more vibrant being. This is the same process that I am going through. I am shedding the old, and will emerge brighter. This entire process has changed me at a most fundamental level. I look forward to the new chapter in my life. I look forward to all that I will learn, not only about myself, but about others as well.

It is true, as the saying goes: “Life is what we make it”. Our lives are not tied up in possessions, or belongings. While it hurts to willingly give up a lifetime of possessions, the memories will remain. I will bring into my new life only those things which matter most. I have no plans to replace what I am giving up. My goal is to look forward and create a new life. Eventually my new life will fill up with memories and mementos of a life lived. It will simply take time.